System for securing railway apparatus equipped with a securing mechanism, and associated transport method and vehicle

Abstract

A system for securing a railway apparatus includes a support platform and a mechanism for securing the railway apparatus to the support platform, capable of switching from an unlocked state to a locked state. The securing mechanism has a guide rail, a trolley guided by the guide rail along a path which, when the support platform is in the loading position, is parallel to a reference plane, a device for immobilizing the trolley relative to the guide rail, an attachment member for attaching the railway apparatus secured to the trolley; and locking members for locking the guide rail relative to the support platform, which switch from an unlocked position to a locked position when the securing mechanism switches from the unlocked state to the locked state in the loading position of the platform, by urging the guide rail downwards relative to the support platform.

Claims

1. A system for securing railway apparatus, comprising: a support platform able to be positioned in a loading position, and at least one securing mechanism for securing the railway apparatus to said support platform and configured to pass from an unlocked state into a locked state; said securing mechanism including: at least one guideway; at least one carriage guided by said guideway along a path which, when said support platform is in the loading position, is disposed in a reference plane a motorized or nonmotorized drive mechanism for moving said carriage along said guideway; a device for blocking said carriage with respect to said guideway; at least one railway apparatus fixing member, secured to said carriage; and members for locking said guideway with respect to said platform, said members passing from an unlocked position to a locked position when said securing mechanism passes from the unlocked state to the locked state with said support platform in the loading position, and urging said guideway downward with respect to said support platform.

2. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said carriage drive mechanism comprises a driving and/or operating member situated on one side of said platform.

3. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism is a self-locking drive mechanism.

4. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said locking members are driven from the unlocked state into the locked state by a motorized actuator and/or an energy accumulator.

5. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said fixing member is capable of movement with respect to said carriage between at least a retracted position and a fixing position, said fixing member in the retracted position is situated, when said support platform is in the loading position, beneath a fixing plane parallel to the reference plane and situated above said guideway and said carriage, and said fixing member in the fixing position is situated, when the support platform is in the loading position, at least partially above the fixing plane.

6. The securing system according to claim 5, further comprising a motorized actuator and/or an energy accumulator configured for moving said fixing member between the retracted position and the fixing position.

7. The securing system according to claim 5, wherein said fixing member mounted for rotational movement about a pivoting axis between the retracted position and the fixing position.

8. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said fixing member comprises two catching zones situated, when said support platform is in the loading position and said fixing member is in the fixing position, at different heights.

9. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said support platform is configured for movement between the loading position and an inclined transport position.

10. The securing system according to claim 9, wherein said support platform is pivotally mounted for rotation about at least one horizontal pivot axis.

11. The securing system according to claim 10, wherein a path of said carriage extends at least in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.

12. The securing system according to claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism comprises: at least one other guideway secured to said guideway; at least one other carriage guided by said other guideway along a path which, when said support platform is in the loading position, is parallel to the reference plane; a blocking device for blocking said other carriage with respect to said other guideway; and at least one other railway apparatus fixing member, secured to said other carriage.

13. The securing system according to claim 12, wherein said fixing member and said other fixing member have catching zones for catching on said railway apparatus, said catching zones facing toward one another or facing in a common transverse direction, and being configured to catch on a rail base of said railway apparatus.

14. A vehicle for transporting railway apparatus, the vehicle comprising: a transport chassis supported by sets of bogies; and a securing system according to claim 1 mounted on said transport chassis.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14 configured as a rail car for transporting railway apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, with reference to the attached figures which illustrate:

(2) FIG. 1, a schematic front view of a wagon for transporting rail apparatus incorporating a rail apparatus securing system according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a loading position;

(3) FIG. 2, a schematic front view of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, the rail apparatus securing system being in a transport position;

(4) FIG. 3, a schematic front view of the rail apparatus securing system of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, in a retracted position;

(5) FIG. 4, a schematic view from above of the rail apparatus securing system of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, in the retracted position;

(6) FIG. 5, a schematic view of a detail of the rail apparatus securing system of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, in the retracted position;

(7) FIG. 6, a schematic front view of the rail apparatus securing system of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, in a position in which it accosts the rail apparatus;

(8) FIG. 7, a schematic front view of the rail apparatus securing system of the transport wagon of FIG. 1, in a position of locking the rail apparatus;

(9) FIG. 8, a schematic front view of a rail apparatus securing system according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a position of positioning the rail apparatus;

(10) FIG. 9, a schematic view from above of the rail apparatus securing system of FIG. 8, in the position of positioning the rail apparatus;

(11) FIG. 10, a schematic front view of a rail apparatus securing system according to a third embodiment of the invention, in a position of positioning the rail apparatus; and

(12) FIG. 11, a schematic view from above of the rail apparatus securing system of FIG. 10, in the position of positioning the rail apparatus.

(13) For greater clarity, elements that are identical or similar are identified by identical reference symbols throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a transport wagon 10 in the process of loading rail apparatus 12 of a large size, and notably of a width that exceeds the running envelope 200 prescribed for rail transport, for example a switch 12 comprising rails 14 and crossties 16.

(15) The transport wagon 10 comprises a chassis 18 the width of which is less than or equal to the width of the running envelope 200, defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and supported by two sets of bogies 20. An inclinable platform 22 for loading and supporting the rail apparatus 12 is articulated to the chassis 18 by an articulation 24 allowing pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis 18. If appropriate, the inclinable support platform 22 may be in two or more parts. The support platform 22 is preferably an all-welded structure and has longitudinal members 26 and cross members 28. In the loading and unloading position illustrated in FIG. 1, the inclinable support platform 22 here is horizontal. A reference plane for the platform, parallel thereto and also horizontal in the loading position, is thus defined. One or more hydraulic rams 30, or any other type of motorized actuator, allow the inclinable support platform 22 to be pivoted between the loading and unloading position and an inclined transport position illustrated in FIG. 2.

(16) In order to secure the rail apparatus 12 to the support platform 22 there is a securing mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7. This securing mechanism is made up of fixing members 32.1, 32.2, in this instance hooks, mounted on carriages 34.1, 34.2 which are guided on guideways 36.1, 36.2 that can be positioned and fixed on the support platform 22, parallel to the reference plane. Each fixing member 32.1, 32.2 is secured to the associated carriage 34.1, 34.2 by a pivot connection 38.1, 38.2. A self-locking actuator 40.1, 40.2, also borne by the carriage 34.1, 34.2, allows the fixing member 32.1, 32.2 to be pivoted between a retracted position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and a fixing position illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

(17) What is meant here by a self-locking actuator is an actuator that does not require the supply of external energy in order to hold it in at least certain reference positions, and notably in the fixing position of FIGS. 6 and 7. This may be an actuator able to hold itself in any chosen position within a predetermined positioning range. It may notably be obtained by providing an actuator comprising an irreversible transmission mechanism, for example using a leadscrew, between a drive member and the fixing member. It is also possible to conceive of a hydraulic ram (as illustrated in the figures) combined with a ram rod clamping device, like that described for example in document FR 2 021 471 or in document WO03/046389.

(18) Each fixing member 32.1, 32.2 forms a double hook, with two catching zones 42, 44 (cf. FIG. 5) which are situated, in the fixing position, at different heights above the associated carriage 34.1, 34.2. This allows the mechanism to be used equally with rail apparatus with (low height) concrete crossties or wood (greater height) crossties. In any case, one of the catching zones 42, 44 is intended to engage with the base of one of the rails 14 of the rail apparatus 12, between two crossties 16 of the rail apparatus 12. In this embodiment, the fixing members 32.1, 32.2 face transversely on the one same side, in this instance in such a way that the catching zones 42, 44 in the inclined position of FIG. 2, are open toward the top.

(19) The carriage 34.1, 34.2 is guided on the associated guideway 36.1, 36.2 by any appropriate means, which limits to one the number of degrees of freedom of the carriage with respect to the guideway. The carriage 34.1, 34.2 and the guideway 36.1, 36.2 have been illustrated schematically in the figures. In practice, the guideway 36.1, 36.2 may be provided with raceways, for example four raceways, along which rollers or balls associated with the carriage run. It may equally be a guideway provided with slipways for shoes formed on the carriage. The guideway thus defines a linear path, preferably a rectilinear path, for the carriage. This path is parallel to the reference plane. In practice, the guideway 36.1, 36.2 may be made up of a solid rail at the periphery of which the raceways or slideways are formed, for example a rail of substantially square or rectangular section the corners of which are machined to form four raceways or slideways. In such a scenario, the carriage may have the overall shape of a U or of an O so as to surround the rail that forms the guideway. Alternatively, the guideway may be made up of a hollow rail having a groove forming a longilinear cavity, in which at least some of the raceways or slideways are formed, and into which at least part of the carriage penetrates.

(20) A drive mechanism 46.1, 46.2 is associated with each carriage 34.1, 34.2 and causes it to move with respect to the associated guideway 36.1, 36.2. The drive mechanism 46.1, 46.2 may for example be a mechanism combining an electric motor 48.1, 48.2 and a leadscrew 50.1, 50.2, as illustrated in the figures.

(21) As illustrated in the figures, two carriages 34.1, 34.2 each bearing a fixing member 32.1, 32.2, are associated with two guideways 36.1, 36.2 formed in the continuation of one another on a common crossbeam 136. The crossbeam 136 constituting the two guideways 36.1, 36.2 is fixed removably and adjustably to the support platform 22 by means of a wedge-type locking device 52. This device comprises, at each end of the crossbeam 136, a hydraulic actuator 54 pivot mounted on a flange 56 secured to the crossbeam 136 and allowing the moving of a locking member consisting of a chamfered wedge, to bring it into engagement with a corresponding inclined wall 60 of a locking cavity 62 formed in a component secured to a longitudinal member 26 of the support platform 22. The inclined wall 60 has, in the longitudinal direction of the platform, a larger dimension D than the chamfered wedge 58, which means that there is a certain degree of freedom for positioning of each end of the transverse beam 136 in the longitudinal direction of the platform with a travel that may be as much as 50 cm (25 cm on either side of a mid position), thereby allowing the transverse beam to be made to effect a translational movement or pivoted about a vertical axis, through an angle of an amplitude that may be as much as 10° (+/−5° on either side of the middle transverse position illustrated in the figures). Longitudinal actuators 64 are provided between the support platform 22 and the transverse beam 136 in order to make the required adjustments.

(22) The securing mechanism consisting of the guideways 36.1, 36.2, the carriages 34.1, 34.2 bearing the fixing members 32.1, 32.2, the locking members 58, the associated cavities 62, and the various actuators 40.1, 40.2, 46.1, 46.2, 54 exists in a number of identical copies, in this instance at least two, distributed along the length of the support platform 22.

(23) The rail apparatus 12 is secured to the platform 22 in a sequence of operations illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. In FIG. 3, the rail apparatus 12 has been placed on the support platform 22, the crossties 16 of the rail apparatus 12 resting on the longitudinal members 26 of the support platform 22, if appropriate with the interposition of cushioning pads. The rail apparatus 12 has been positioned in such a way that the transverse beam 136 is positioned between two crossties 16. The fixing members 32.1, 32.2 are retracted, in order to avoid any interference with the rail apparatus 12 during handling. An operator then operates the electric motors 48.1, 48.2 and the actuators 40.1, 40.2 to adjust the positioning of the carriages 34.1, 34.2 and deploy the fixing members 32.1, 32.2 so as to bring these into engagement with the bases of rails 14 of the rail apparatus 12. During this operation, the locking members 58 are not in contact with the inclined walls 60, which means that the positioning of the transverse beam 136 can also be adjusted using the actuators 64 according to how the rail apparatus 12 is positioned. At the end of this operation, the securing mechanism is in the transient position illustrated in FIG. 6.

(24) The transverse beam 136 is locked after a suitable position has been found and after the carriages 34.1, 34.2 have been positioned and the fixing members 32.1, 32.2 brought into engagement with the bases of two rails 14 of the rail apparatus. Extending the actuators 54 causes the chamfered wedges 58 to move away from one another, bringing them into contact with the corresponding inclined walls 60. The essentially horizontal locking force generated by the actuators 54 brings about, at the interface between the chamfered wedges 58 and the inclined walls 60 loads which have a downward vertical component so that the transverse beam 136 is urged downward. These loads are transmitted by the guideways 36.1, 36.2 to the carriages 34.1, 34.2 and to the hooks 32.1, 32.2 that form the fixing members, with the effect of increasing the pressure of contact between the catching zone 42, 44 used and the base of the rail 14. This results in the rail apparatus 12 being gripped between the fixing members 32.1, 32.2 and the platform 22. The pressure of contact between the chamfered wedges 58 and the inclined walls 60 generates high static friction loads which lock the beam 136 to the platform 22 in all directions. The actuators 54 of the locking members 58 are of the self-locking type, which means that there is no need to supply energy in order to keep them locked.

(25) The same procedure is performed for each of the locking mechanisms, in parallel or sequentially.

(26) Once the rail apparatus 12 is thus secured to the support platform 22, it is possible to raise the latter into the position of FIG. 2 for transport.

(27) The unloading operations are performed in the reverse order to the loading operations.

(28) If appropriate, just one of the two fixing members 32.1, 32.2 associated with the transverse beam 136 may be positioned in engagement with one of the rails 14 of the rail apparatus 12, the other fixing member 32.1, 32.2 remaining in the retracted position.

(29) According to an alternative form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, two carriages 34.1, 34.2 each bearing a fixing member 32.1, 32.2 are associated with two parallel guideways 36.1, 36.2 formed on two parallel transverse beams 136.1, 136.2 fixed to one another by beams 136.3 so as to form a rigid subassembly. This arrangement allows a wider range for the positioning of each carriage 34.1, 34.2 along the path of the associated guideway. A drive mechanism 46.1, 46.2 is associated with each carriage 34.1, 34.2 and moves it relative to the associated guideway 36.1, 36.2. The drive mechanism 46.1, 46.2 may for example be a mechanism that combines an electric motor 48.1, 48.2 with a leadscrew 50.1, 50.2, as illustrated in the figures.

(30) According to another alternative form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, two carriages 34.1, 34.2 each bearing a fixing member 32.1, 32.2 are associated with two aligned guideways 36.1, 36.2 formed on the one same transverse beam 136. In this embodiment, the guideways 36.1, 36.2 have substantially different lengths, the travel of the carriage 34.1 being markedly greater than the travel of the carriage 34.2. This arrangement is particularly well suited to rail apparatus 12 in which the rail 14 intended to engage with the fixing member 32.2 is at a position that varies very little, whereas the positioning of the rail 14 intended to engage with the fixing member 32.1 is liable to vary more.

(31) Furthermore, the fixing members 32.1, 32.2 face transversely toward one another, which means to say such that the catching zones 42, 44 face one another. It will be appreciated that when the two fixing members 32.1, 32.2 are engaged, the rail apparatus is locked laterally.

(32) In practice, one and the same transport wagon may be equipped with securing mechanisms according to one or more of the various embodiments illustrated in the figures, distributed along the length of the platform, so as to adapt locally to suit the configuration of the rail apparatus 12.

(33) Naturally, the examples depicted in the figures and discussed hereinabove are given merely by way of nonlimiting illustration. Various alternative forms are conceivable.

(34) The loading and unloading position of the platform is not necessarily horizontal, but may rather be inclined, although naturally less so than the transport position.

(35) The movement of the fixing member with respect to the carriage may be not a pivoting but a translational movement, or the compound of a translational and of a rotational movement, preferably with just one degree of freedom. It is preferably a planar movement, parallel to a vertical plane. It may notably be a movement obtained by the deformation of an articulated quadrilateral, particularly an articulated parallelogram.

(36) The fixing member may be adapted so that it catches not on the base of the rail 14 but on the crosstie 16 of the rail apparatus 12. In that case, it is notably conceivable for the fixing member 32.1, 32.2 to rotate about a transverse horizontal axis of pivoting.

(37) The guiding of the carriage along the path defined by the guideway can be achieved using any appropriate means.

(38) It is explicitly envisioned that the various embodiments illustrated can be combined in order to propose others.

(39) It is emphasized that all the features, as can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the present description, from the drawings and from the attached claims, even if they have been described in concrete terms only in connection with determined other features, either individually or in any combination, may be combined with other features or groups of features divulged here, provided that so doing has not been expressly precluded and provided that the technical circumstances have not rendered such combinations impossible or pointless.